REACTIONS TO ISRAELI INCURSIONS IN GAZA, U.S. VETO

UNCLAS AMMAN 008353

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM KPAL JO
SUBJECT: REACTIONS TO ISRAELI INCURSIONS IN GAZA, U.S. VETO


--------------
SUMMARY
--------------


1. (U) The Israeli operations in Gaza prompted demonstrations
in the Baqa'a refugee camp near Amman October 5 that resulted
in clashes with Jordanian security forces. The Jordanian
government has continued its call for a halt to incursions in
Gaza and for renewed effort on the peace process. The Lower
House of Parliament issued a statement condemning Israeli
military operations. The U.S. veto of the U.N. Security
Council resolution on Gaza was reported too late for
extensive commentary, but we expect the veto will be the
focus of strong criticism and popular emotion. Report on 10/6
EAC meeting septel. END SUMMARY.

--------------
GOJ VIEWS ON GAZA INCURSIONS
--------------


2. (U) Responding to a negative mood in Jordan, King Abdullah
and Foreign Minister Marwan Muashar both took time during
their travel overseas to denounce recent Israeli incursions
into northern Gaza. According to the local press, the King
called for an immediate end to the Israeli offensive during a
meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair on October 5.
The King reportedly also called on Palestinians to make a
concerted effort to help create a favorable climate for the
resumption of peace negotiations. Muashar made similar
comments during a joint press conference with Spanish Foreign
Minister Miguel Morantinos.

--------------
MPs SOUND OFF
--------------


3. (U) The Lower House of Parliament also denounced Israel's
actions in Gaza. The press reported that a statement issued
by Parliament and signed by House Speaker Abdul Hadi Majali
characterized the Israeli actions a "horrific massacre and
cowardly terrorist act against the defenseless Palestinian
people." The statement called on the international community
to intervene in order to end the Israeli offensive. During
Charge's lunch October 6 for MPs returning from a recent
International Visitor program, four lower house members
interrupted their discussion of the benefits of their
meetings in the U.S., and harangued A/DCM over the alleged
injustice of the U.S. veto.

--------------
INCURSIONS IGNITE DEMONSTRATIONS
--------------


4. (SBU) Fueled by anger at the continuing incursions in
Gaza, demonstrators clashed with Jordanian security forces in
the Baqa'a refugee camp on the evening of October 5. The
unauthorized demonstration, planned at least one day in
advance, involved between 100 to 500 young men who gathered
at the Baqa'a market at 2130 Jordan time and moved to a main
street where the demonstrators started setting tires on fire
in an attempt to block the main entrance to the camp from the
Amman-Irbid highway. The camp police garrison fired tear-gas.
Camp notables assisted in calming the demonstrators, who
dispersed at 2300 local. According to sources in the
Jordanian Public Security Directorate, three persons were
injured, including one policeman. Six demonstrators were
arrested. According to UNRWA, there have been no other Gaza
related demonstrations in Jordanian camps in the last week.

--------------
REACTIONS TO U.S. VETO
--------------


5. (SBU) A local daily - Al Arab Al Yawm - led with a story
on the U.S. veto. The headline reads, "Americans Veto
Cessation of Gaza Massacre." POL FSN spoke October 6 with a
moderate Jordanian contact who, out of character, delved into
a condemnation of the U.S. veto as something "disgusting"
that Americans should be "ashamed of." The late vote in the
UNSC did not give columnists the opportunity to ventilate
their views, but we can expect extreme criticism in the days
ahead.


6. (U) Baghdad minimize considered.

Visit Embassy Amman's classified website at
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/ or access the site
through the State Department's SIPRNET home page.

HALE